There is an assortment of bilingual and international schools in Madrid for expat children to attend. In fact, international educational standards are so commonplace that many international schools with British and American curricula have a student body predominately made up of Spanish pupils. There are many schools that teach the British national curriculum, and while the most common language of tuition is English, Spanish is often the dominant language on the playground and at the lunch table. 

In some international schools in Madrid, as many as 80 percent of the pupils are Spanish. International schools are encouraged to take local students as there is a state subsidy for those schools where more than a fifth of the children are Spanish, and those that offer bilingual education. The teachers at these schools also tend to be international, and many are native English speakers. 

This gives expat children an opportunity to overcome some of the culture shock in Spain and fully integrate into their new home. While international schools in Madrid may be pricier than public and private schools, they are excellent value compared to international schools elsewhere in Europe due to the state subsidy. They also offer exceptional facilities as well as a wide array of activities, including art, music, sports and STEM labs.

Most of Madrid's international schools enrol children from the age of two right up to 18. Some schools also offer boarding for their international students and families who live abroad or elsewhere in Spain.

There are some international schools in the centre of Madrid, but the majority are situated in the suburbs and in the countryside surrounding the city. Here, they have more space for sports fields and other facilities for a variety of extracurricular activities.

Listed below are some of the best international schools in Madrid.

International schools in Madrid

Canadian-Singapore-Primary-student-in-class_0.jpg

American School of Madrid

The American School of Madrid (ASD) has been providing an American education and encouraging fluency in Spanish for more than 60 years. This international school is home to a diverse student body of more than 1,000 students of over 60 nationalities. Founded in 1961, the American School of Madrid prides itself on building a truly unique international community, with strong American and Spanish influences that allow children to thrive academically and socially while living in Madrid. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: American and International Baccalaureate
Ages: 3 to 18

Hastings School

Hastings School is a proudly British school located in the heart of Madrid. Offering an adapted version of the Cambridge IGCSE, the school encourages bilingualism in both English and Spanish speakers. The school's large international student body is spread out over six age-specific campuses in central Madrid, all of which are connected by a shuttle service. As one of the top international schools in Madrid, Hastings School's university preparation programme sees a large contingent of its students secure places at the top universities in the UK every year. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-levels) and International Baccalaureate 
Ages: 2 to 18

International College Spain Madrid

One of the leading international schools in Europe, International College Spain has been established for more than 40 years and is the only school in Madrid offering the three prestigious International Baccalaureate programmes (PYP, MYP and DP) in English. International College Spain Madrid provides an international community for its global students, with the aim of building a home away from home for both its students and parents. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
Ages: 3 to 18

International School of Madrid

The International School of Madrid has been providing quality British education to a diverse international student population for more than 50 years. More than 30 nationalities are represented throughout the school's student body of more than 800 pupils. Centrally located in Madrid, the International School of Madrid is one of the top international schools in Madrid that nurture students' individual abilities and encourage self-expression in academia, sports as well as the arts. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-levels)
Ages: 2 to 18

King's College, The British School of Madrid

King's College, The British School of Madrid teaches the British English National Curriculum, including the Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels, as well as the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The school is situated just 20 minutes from Central Madrid on a picturesque 12-acre site in the countryside that is home to the school's top boarding facilities. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-levels) and International Baccalaureate
Ages: 4 months to 18

St George International

St. George International School follows the British curriculum from Infant School through to Upper Secondary, during which stage students take the Cambridge IGCSE. Sixth Form students work towards the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The school's diverse international student body is made up of more than 45 nationalities. All teachers are native English speakers, apart from those who teach foreign-language subjects, making language acquisition easier for students. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum and Cambridge IGCSE) and International Baccalaureate
Ages: 2 to 18

Thames British School

Thames British School is a private school that offers British education to students of all nationalities, following the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum for students from three to five years old. The international school follows the Cambridge International and IBDP curricula throughout primary and secondary years. There's also a pre-nursery programme for ages one to three. The school prides itself on being one of the top international schools in Madrid, with modern and spacious learning facilities that are conducive to fostering students' love for learning. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Lower Secondary, Cambridge IGCSE and A-levels) and International Baccalaureate
Ages: 1 to 18

Further reading

►For more on schooling in the country, see Education and Schools in Spain

►Working in Madrid gives expat parents insight into the city's economy and employment environment

Are you an expat living in Madrid?

Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Madrid. Please contact us if you'd like to contribute.